How Do Infrared Lens Filters Work?

On the spectrum of light, the human eye can only see between wavelengths of 400 and 700 nanometers. These wavelengths determine the colors that people can perceive. Infrared light is past 700 nanometers on the spectrum, which is generally imperceptible to the human eye.

Infrared lenses are designed to let light at wavelengths of between 400 and 700 nanometers pass through in order to capture colors the way the average human eye sees them. An infrared lens filter employs opaque glass to absorb all of this visible light, allowing only light at the infrared end of the spectrum to pass through the lens and hit the film or image sensor, depending on whether the camera is film or digital.

Most digital SLR cameras are actually designed to block infrared light, but those photographers interested in shooting infrared photography with digital SLR cameras can still do so with an infrared filter. Colors may appear strange and a tripod will likely have to be employed because the shutter needs to be held open for a long time due most light reaching the sensor being blocked. Converting the photos to black and white will likely achieve the monochrome effect desired in infrared photography.

Those photographers interested in shooting infrared with a digital SLR can also explore the option of removing the camera’s infrared blocking filter themselves. This requires good knowledge of the camera’s mechanics.

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